Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-03-18

ton, in his peculiar way of encouraging hi
wife to greater efforts to throw of her de
spondency.
He never had really scolded Or fount
fault with her; indeed, he had no reason
to do So, added to the fact that he pridet
himself on his even temper. as we'll as hi:
shrewd management md strangely hand
some personal appearance.
Sometimes Kate Clayton almost wished
he would find fault; almost anything
seemed preferable to this dreary, nenoto-
nous life of thankless drudgery; then she
could more easily have demanded
that which she felt was but her just
due. She could more readily ex.
plain the situation in it's true
light to him. Then, perhaps he could b.
brought to, in some degree, comprehend
her nature, and to understand many things
that he did not now for a moment stop tc
consider.
She believed him only blindly inconsid-
crate, as was really the case.
She must speak now, however, and in q
frmer, yet softer, more tender tone, she
said: aBut, my dear, / believe seriously
that 1 am really ill and unable to hold out
longer. Mary Smith will be here to-day
and l think 1 shall engage her to help me
through harvest. 1 positively must have
some help.
For some moments Walter did notspeak.
He was surprised out of his usual equa-
dumb, and sat regarding his wife with that
peculiar, indescribable, surprised, hard
stare of his, which seemed to mean, mn
authority is supreme. How dare you ques-
ton my wisdem?" as if he could not be-
lieve his senses, yet he was forced to real
ize at last that Kate had said something
unusual and was awaiting his comment.
But what should he say? =
He could not realize that Kate could
ever wear out or be ill. and rather sharply
demanded: "What do you mean, Kate?
Don't you know that we must not be ex-
t%ravagant; that We must tighten expenses
Us much as possible to be able to build a
cottage or hat new lot and to put an addi-
ton to the old barn this autumn"
"But. Walter, l am certainly unable to
accomplish all that is necessary to be done"
she said, a little spirited.
well, do what is the most necessary and
let the rest go undone. Don't worry your
self and your spirits will soon revive.
Come, cheer up, Kate, and you'll soon be
as bright as q bird" advised Walter in a
sort of concilatory manner, lily concealing
his veXation at what he considered her
temporary weakness.
chats just like a man." rejoined Kate,
as a ghost of a smile for a moment fitted
over her pale features. "They can't re-
that mustbe done to provide the necessary
dinners, suppers, and breakfasts. The
washings. the ironings, the dairy work, the
bed-making and sweeping, and the care of
the children. etc, MI come in the catalogue
of necessary work. If I had the help of
a good girl, she continued, II could more
than save the extra expense of her board
and wages in extra care and labor"
ooh, pshaw, Kate, that's all nonsense"
cts true, Walter. You have no idea of
the extra amount of work that goes undone
every day for want of another pairof hands
to do it. 1t would be cheaper to
pay for help than q doctors bill and sun
dry other additional expenses, the help in
cluded."
"Well, the men are waiting for me; I
can't stop now to talk. Suppose you try to
get along the best you can without q girl
for awhile at least" he supplemented as he
hurried off after the men, thinking, and
congratulating himself that he had settled
the matter and would hear nothing more of
it. But for once in his life he was mis-
taken in the estimate of his wisdom and
shrewdness in managing matters.
Hates feelings were deeply and rudely
touched. For some minutes she sobbed
| SOuNu lSINcly uS su0 HllcuueU ~ tu0 ueouS
of the fretful infant in her weary arms.
Then, with quick but unsteady steps she
soon had the breakfast things cleared away.
But now she began to feel strangely I'M
steady and weak; her head throbbed pain
fully and was giddy; her limbs refused to
bear her weight and she sank YEARLY upon
the floor.
Some minutes passed before she was
able to drag herself and baby to baby's
crib and lay him on his soft, clean PILLOW;
then dropping herself onto a sofa beside
it, she leaned back her head and closed
her eyes tightly to shut out the painful
glare of the bright morning sun.
ooh, how sick am! My head seems on
frep she murmured as she lay back on the
soft cushions, extending one hand to gently
sway her baby's crib.
The other two children now made their
appearance. At first they could not under
stand why could not dress them
and give them their breakfast. But little
5-year-old BERTHE soon began to eompre-
bend that mamma was sick, and that she
must prove herself equal to the occasion.
She said in her sweet, childish confidence:
Mamma, lie still. I will dress our
selves and get our breakfast"
The hot tears suffnsed the fond mothers
eyes, and she could only reply: Eyes,
dear"
Pleased with this permission, little BERTHE
set about her task, which she performed
quite credibly for SO small a lady.
"Now, mamma, may l get dinner?"
"No, dear, but you may take care of you,
little brothers while mamma rests, was the
feeble reply.
81 will, mamma" and the little nurse
took up her station by the crib, where lay
her year-old brother, tossing restlessly
about. moaning in its sleep.
How the forenoon passed, Kate never
knew; and little BERTHE, faithful to her
trust, had q weary time of it, with watching
little George to keep him out of mischief
and from getting hurt, and trying to soothe
the pitiful cries of her poor, sick, little
baby brother.
At last loon came, as also did the men
from the field. They washed at the pump,
then entered the kitchen; on its threshold
Walter paused for a moment in speechless
astonishment and CONSERVATION, gazing al
the cold stove and the piles of unwasbed
breakfast dishes on the table.
No steaming hot, savory dinner greeted
their senses. f,
A great, underlined dread entered Walters
heart as he looked around in an uncertain
way, as if he could not believe his OWE
eyes.
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